Whenever I head to DC, I tend to park at a Metro station outside of the city and ride in, I'm not sure how committed you are to driving in but the train tends to be the easiest in my opinion. There are parking garages in the area but i'm sure theyre a hefty price.

Whenever I head to DC, I tend to park at a Metro station outside of the city and ride in, I'm not sure how committed you are to driving in but the train tends to be the easiest in my opinion. There are parking garages in the area but i'm sure theyre a hefty price.

I was thinking about that option as I've done it when I was a kid with my parents.

Do they have decent parking at the stations, and which station should I be driving to?

There are several stations all around the surrounding areas and I'm pretty sure most (if not all) have garages to park at. Frank mentioned Smithsonian which is the ideal place to get off, its right in the center of the mall in the middle of everything.

I would drive right in 295 to NY Ave, then down 2nd or 3rd and right to the Jefferson. Parking at the top of Silver Spring garage may not be the best place. Parking in and around the sites would be best for you to get around quicker and get out of town quicker too.

Or if you can make it downtown before 10am, you can always find a spot on the Mall...you gotta feed the meter though.

That doesn't sound too convenient, feeding meter every what?... 1 hour?
Besides, I'm sure the place will be packed during the weekend of Cherry Blossom festival and I'm assuming it will be hell to get out of the city.

Silver Spring Metro station has a large garage. You could go to the upper levels where you will see less cars or you can find a nice corner spot.

The station is about 3 miles from the beltway and easy to find.
This is the red line so no need to transfer to get near the Smithsonian.

I was going to suggest the metro station at White Flint. Nice garage with plenty of spaces. don't drive into the city, potholes, red light cameras, speed cameras, and the parallel parking fools who like to tap your car... just scares the poop out of me...

I was going to suggest the metro station at White Flint. Nice garage with plenty of spaces. don't drive into the city, potholes, red light cameras, speed cameras, and the parallel parking fools who like to tap your car... just scares the poop out of me...

^^ I didn't know White Flint had a garage!
I live a 2 miles from there... but Grosvenor does... the station is a mile from the 495 exit, and the garage is pretty nice!
It's also a station where trains come more frequently on the red line...

^^ I didn't know White Flint had a garage!
I live a 2 miles from there... but Grosvenor does... the station is a mile from the 495 exit, and the garage is pretty nice!
It's also a station where trains come more frequently on the red line...

If you are driving into the city, you can bring your BMW.
If you spend the night, I suggest leaving your car in the hotel garage.

The streets have pot holes like any other city.
Just watch where you are driving.

I would definitely NOT leave your car at any Metro station and ride in. You are better off parking on the mall, ie, Constitution, Independence or Penn Ave. There is always someone freeing up a space. You can also park on 7th st SW and walk a few blocks.